Acetylene-gas generator.



No. 790,868. PATBNTED MAY 23, 1905. G.. W. BECK.

ACETYLBNE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION PILED JUNE 16,1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

PATENTED MAY 23, 1905.

4 SHEETS-SHEET z.

C. W. BECK. AGETYLENE -AS GENERATOR. APPLICATION FILED JUNI: 16.1904.

No. 790,868. PATENTED MA-Y 23, 1905.

C. W.l BECK. v AGETYLBNE GAS GENERATOR.

APPLIOAToN FILED' JUN?. 16.1904 v 4 Simms-SHEET s.

Mj/ @liter/meal@ No. 790,868. v v PATENTBD MAY 23, 1905.

n C. W. BECK. AGETYLENB GS GENERATOR.

APPLICATION FILED .TUNE 16.1904.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

No. l790,868.

Patented May 23, 1905.

PATENT Orricn.

CHARLES W. BECK, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

ACETYLENE-GAS GENERATOR.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 790,863, dated May 23, 1905.

Application filed June 16, 1904. Serial No. 212,832.

T0 a/ZZ whom, it mm1/y conc/27%.'

Be it known that I, CHARLES W. BECK, a citizen of the United States, residing in the borough of Manhattan, city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Acetylene-Gas Grenerators, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings. in which- Figure 1 is a vertical sectional View of the generator; Fig. 2, a similar view of the feeding mechanism, the feed-valve being in its lowermost position; Fig. 3, a detail vertical sectional view of the filter; Fig. 4, a detail vertical sectional view of the feed-valve; Fig. 5, a vertical sectional view of the feed mechanism, showing the valve in its uppermost position; Fig. 6, a side elevation of the means for clamping together the two sections of the clamping-ring; Fig. 7 is an elevation of a portion of the connecting-ring; Fig. 8, a sectional View on the line VIII VIII of Fig. 7; Fig. 9. a detail plan view of the trip-lever; Fig. 9, a similar view of the operating-lever; Fig. l0, a plan View of the generator, and Fig. l1 a plan view of the connectionring.

This invention relates to improvements in generators of that type wherein carbid is fed to a body of water in quantities automatically controlled by the pressure of the gas gen erated.

One of the many objects of this invention is to provide a generator of this type wherein the feeding mechanism will be very sensitive and will operate positively and efijciently under a low gas-pressure, whereby the generator will be especially adapted for use in portable or table lamps.

Another object of the invention is to provide a simple automatic safety mechanism whereby should the lamp be overturned or any condition arise wherein during the operation of the feed mechanism the lamp or generator should be inclined suficiently to cause the water from the water holder to flow through the feed-aperture into the carbidholder the feed-valve would be closed immediately by the gas generated and held in its closed position and further access of water into the carbid-holder prevented.

A further object of the invention is to provide a safety mechanism which will be moved automatically by the pressure of the gas generated to its closed position, but which must be manually operated before the lamp is again in operative condition.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an improved feed-valve which under ordinary working condition is operated as a single stopvalve, but which under abnormal conditions operates as a double stop-valve, to

`provide an improved means for quickly and rigidly clamping together the upper and lower members of the generator, and to improve and simplify a generator of this type, whereby the working parts may be quickly and readily secured to or detached from the inclosing casing to facilitate the assembling of the parts in the manufacture of the lamp and for the purpose of cleaning and repair.

Other important objects and advantages of the invention will appear hereinafter.

In the drawings the generator is illustrated in the form of a table-lamp; but of course it is to be understood it is adapted for use in other forms of apparatus. The lamp as shown is composed of two parts or members, the lower one constituting the lamp-base and water-holder 1 and the upper part 2 constituting the carbid-receptacle and carrying the feed mechanism and means for clamping together the two parts. The upper part of the water-holder is contracted and is formed with an upward-extending short cylindrical part 3, which is open at its upper and lower ends and through which access is had to the interior of the water-holder. At the top of this cylindrical part 3 is formed an outward-extending horizontal bead or fiange 4, which is inwardly and downwardly inclined on its lower side to form the annular cam-surface 5.

The upper member of the generator is formed with a carbid-holder 6, having adownward and inward inclined annular wall, which directs the carbid to the feed-aperture, and the depending contracted standard or waist portion 7, this latter part, together with the upper part of the water-holder, forming a generating-chamber. This standard portion expands from a point near its upper end to lts lower end and serves as a filling-funnel,

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into which the carbid is to be poured when the members of the generator are separated and the upper part inverted for the purpose of iilling the carbid-holder. The lower contracted end of the carbid-holder 6 is open to provide a feed-aperture 8, and secured to the under side of this contracted part of the holder is a housing-ring 9, which forms, in conjunction with the end. of the carbid-holder 6, a receptacle to receive a Aflexible valve-ring 10, through which the feed-plunger is adapted t0 work. This ring is beveled on its upper surface to correspond with the downward and inward inclined surface of the interior of the carbid-holder. A cap 11 is threaded on the lower end of this ring and its lower end underlies and bears open the under side of the valve-ring to clamp said ring in position. To the bottom of this cap is secured a downwardlyenlarged funnel 12, the lower edge of which bears against the side wall of the standard 7 and serving when the carbid-holder is detached from the water-holder and inverted as a filling-funnel to direct the carbid through the feed-aperture. This funnel 12 is provided at its upper end with wrench-notches 18, so that it may be readily detached from the ring 9 whenever it is desired to remove the valvering 10.

Within the carbid-holder, at the top thereof, is secured a horizontal supporting-ring 14, whoseinner portion inclines inward and downward, as at 15. In the inner end of the horizontal part of this ring is formed an annular substantially semicircular groove or channel 16. Secured to the inward and downward inclined part 15 of the supportingring is a downward and inward inclined filter-support 17, which is formed of foraminated sheet material and is provided with annular downwardextendingribs 18 and with a short tubular part or flange 19 at its inner lower end. Secured between the part 15 and the filter-support is a filter-cloth 20, said cloth being supported on the ribs I18, its lower end being suitably secured by a wire or other means to the tubular part 1 The purpose of supporting the iilter-cloth on the ribs 18 is to hold it away from the main portion of the support, so that gas may pass through practically the entire cloth, and, further, to prevent the perforations in the support becoming clogged with lime and dust. Rigidly secured within the plate 19 of the filter-support is the upper end of a depending central guide-tube and valve-shield 21, said shield being axially in line with the center of the feed-aperture in the valve-ring. Secured to the supporting-ring 14 is' a flexible, preferably rubber, circular diaphragm 22, which` together with the horizontal portion oi' the supporting-ring, forms a complete gas-tight wall across the top of the carbid-holder. This diaphragm is formed near its edge on its under side with a semicylindrical annular rib or iiange 28, which fits within the correspondingly-shaped groove or channel 16, formed in the supporting-ring. Resting on the top of this diaphragm, at the edge thereof, is an annular protecting-plate 24, and on the top of this protecting-plate is secured a clampingring 25, this latter ring being formed with radial lugs 26, through which pass clampingbolts secured in place by nuts 27. To the under side of the supporting-ring' is secured a reinforcing cast ring 28, through which the clamping-bolts pass. From the foregoing it will be readily seen that eiiicient clamping means are provided for securing the diaphragm to the supporting-ring, and thereby forming the iiexible gas-tight wall across the top of the carbid-holder.

To the center of the diaphragm is secured by any suitable means a depending valve-rod 29, which extends through suitable guides in the shield 21. The lower part of the valverod is reduced in diameter to form the shoulder 80, and the lower end of this reduced part is threaded, as at 81 in Fig. 4. Slidably mounted on this reduced part 80 of the valverod is a sleeve 82, which is equal in diameter to the main part of the valve-rod, and to the lower end of the sleeve is rigidly secured the lower member or stop 88 of the valve, said valve member being threaded at its lower end to receive the threaded end oi' the valve-rod. To lock the valve member 88 to the valvestem, a lock-nut 84 is secured on the lower projecting' end of the stem, said locking-nut being formed with a wing to enable it to be readily moved by hand without the use of a wrench or other device. The upper end oi' the sleeve 82 abuts squarely against the shoulder 80, formed on the valve-rod, and to this upper end is rigidly secured a small collar 85. Loosely mounted on the valve-rod and inclosing this collar is the upper valve member or stop 86. This valve member is formed of two telescopic shells 87 and 88, the diameter of the exterior shell being slightly larger than the opening in the valve-ring. These shells are fitted together very snugly, so that when in operative position they move together and form a single hollow cylindrical valve member. Within this valve member and interposed between the collar 85 and the lower wall thereoil is a packing-ring, which forms a gas and water proof joint when the valve is in its lowermost position, as will be more fully described hereinafter. Secured to the lower end of the guide-tube and shield 21 is a ilexible guide and closer tube 89, whose lower end is brought to a sharp edge 40, which is always in rubbing contact with the exterior of the upper stop or valve member 86. This iiexible tubular guide is preferably formed of rubber and is adapted to grasp the upper valve member and to prevent gas and moist vapors passing up into the shield 21 and also serving to wipe or clean the said valve member. The friction between this shield and the valve member is sufficient to hold the said valve member in its upper or lower position until it is forcibly moved by the valve-operating mechanism. The lower valve member is formed with an upper reduced part 33, which is adapted to close the opening in the valve-ring to stop the feed of carbid and to prevent the passage of gas and vapor upward from the generating-chamber, and with the lower enlarged part 33h and an intermediate short beveled shoulder. In the normal operation of the lamp when the diaphragm 22 is raised to the limit of its movement either by gas-pressure or by the means for manually raising the valve and diaphragm, which will be hereinafter described, the beveled shoul der 33c will register with the opening in the valve-ring and form a gas and liquid tight closure, as shown in Fig. 1.

The enlarged part 33b isadaptcd to be forced into the valve-ring to form a liquid-tight joint to prevent access of water to the carbid should the lamp be overturned or su fiicientl y inclined during its operation. This enlarged part of the valve does not contact with the valve-ring in the ordinary operation of the lamp, the upper reduced part working therein except under abnormal conditions. By this means the wear on the valve-ring is reduced, while at the same time the liquid-tight joint is secured between the valve-ring and the valve when it is needed.

The perforated filter-support 17 and the shield 21 form a protected chamber through which the Valve-rod works freely, and the {ilter-support also forms a chamber in which the iexiblc diaphragm vibrates. It will be readily understood that as the carbid-holder must be inverted when it is recharged the weight of the carbid would be brought on the diaphragm if this protected chamber were not provided. It is also clear that if this free space were not provided the carbid would rest on the diaphragm during the operation of charging and the carbid-holder become so packed that the diaphragm could not vibrate sufciently to operate the feed-valve. The object of inclining the iilter-support inward and downward is not only to secure the necessary space for the diaphragm, but also to direct any particles of dust or lime that may iind their way through the lter down in the shield 21. The valve members 33 and 36, together with their connecting-sleeve 32, may be readily removed from the valve-rod after detaching the loch-nut 34, so that the shields 21 and 39 will be perfectly free, except for the cross-bars therein, permitting said dust and dirt to be readily removed therefrom. It will thus be seen thatl provide means for readily cleaning' from the diaphragm-chamber and the shield-tube any dust which may eventually lind its way therein. The object of providing a large foraminous surface for the iilter-support is to permit the gas to flow freely into the protected chamber and to prevent as far as possible any differences in pressure between the carbid-hopper and said protected chamber. If the gas-passage into the chamber formed by the support 17 were restricted, the gas would have a tendency to force its way up along the valve-rod into said chamber and to carry with it more or less dust and lime. By giving the gas a large and practically free passage through the support 17 this tendency of the gas to pass along the valve-rod is practically eliminated.

` On the upper end of the valve-rod is secured a ball-cup 41, which also acts as a clamping-nut to secure the diaphragm to the valve-rod, suitable washers being interposed between said cup and the diaphragm.V The top of this ball-cup is so shaped that a stopball 42 will be retained therein, said ball normally resting directly over the center of the valve-rod. To retain this ball in its cup, a cap 43 is secured over said cup, said cap being provided with a central aperture in its top. To the upper side of the clamping-ring is secured or formed integral therewith upward and inward extending spider-arms 44, which at their upper ends support the pressure-regulator 45. On one of these spiderarms is pivoted the operating-lever 46, which is formed with an inward-extending fork the arms 47 of which curve downward, as shown clearly in the drawings, and work under horizontal radial pins 48, secured in opposite sides of the ball-cup, as may be clearly seen in dotted lines in Fig. 10. Below its pivot this lever is formed with a short downward and outward extending cam-surface 49, said cam-surface constituting the shorter arm of the lever. Threaded through the s pider-arm to which said lever is attached is an operatingscrew 50, whose inner end is in such a position that it will contact with the cam-surface 49, and its outer end is provided with a milled head. To the operating-lever aboveits pivot and on the opposite side thereof from the IOO cam-surface 49 is pivoted a trip-lever 51, said lever being provided with outward-extending arms 52, which embrace a portion of the operating-lever and the adjacent spider-arm 44. These arms are connected at their inner endsfby the head 53, whose under surface is adapted to contact with the top of the operating-lever and whose upper surface is outwardly and downwardly inclined, as at 53a. Loosely mounted in thc adjacent spider-arm is a thrust-pin 54, whose inner end is adapted to contact with the inclined upper surface 53 of the head 53 for a purpose which will hereinafter appear. Just below the pivot of the trip-lever the operating-lever is provided with two outward -extending stop-pins 55, with whichl the arms of the trip-lever are adapted to contact at certain times for apurpose which will be hereinafter described. To the outer ends of the arms of the trip-lever are secured strong coil-springs 56, the other ends of said springs being connected to the other spiderarms 44, as clearly shown in Fig. 10. In the normal working' position of the operatinglever and the trip-lever the line of strain brought on the trip-lever by means of the springs is above the pivot of said trip-lever, so that its head 53 is forced down against the upper side of the operating-lever, said point of contact between the two levers being considerably to the left of the pivot of said operating-lever. The effect of this, of course,

is that the springs 56 tend to force downward the inner forked end of the operating lever.

Secured to the bottom of the regulator-valve is a depending stop-pin 57, which is adapted to enter the ball-cup when the diaphragm 22 is raised by gas-pressure. In the normal working position of the parts this depending stop-pin enters the ball-cup and contacts with the ball therein to limit the up ward movement of the diaphragm and operating-lever. When the diaphragm is in this upward position, as shown in Fig. 1, the line of strain brought on the trip-lever by the springs 56 is almost in a direct line from the center of the ends of the arms of said lever through the center of its pivot, so that a very slight further upward movement of the operatinglever would move the trip-lever sufficiently to bring said line of strain below the pivot of said triplever. The result of this further upward movement of the operating-lever would be to cause a stop-cam 53D on the trip-lever to contact with a stationary stop 53c to force the arms of the trip-lever downward and bring the line of strain below its pivot and permit the springs 56 to swing said arms downward into contact with the pins 55. This will bring the strain of the springs 56 on the operatinglever below its pivot, so that it will lift the valve-rod and close the feed-valve, as shown clearly in Fig. 5. The trip-lever head 53 will by the movement just described be carried upward and outward into position to be engaged by the inner end of the thrust-pin 54. This pin is of such length that when the partsl are in the position shown in Fig. 5 its outer end is in a position to be engaged by the under side of the operating-screw 50. By reference to Fig. 1 it will be noted that the cam-surface 53D is formed on the trip-lever slightly to the right of its pivot, so that when it contacts with the stop 53c it will prevent further upward movement of the trip-lever, and on a further upward movement of the operatinglever the trip-lever will be turned downward slightly on its pivot. thereby carrying the line of strain of the springs 56 quickly below said pivot. The object of this is to secure the throw of the trip-lever without the necessity of a considerable upward movement of the operating-lever. It will of course be understood, however, that these stops may be dis- 46 will throw the line of strain of the springs 56 below the pivot of the trip-lever by reason of the contact of the cam-surface 531 with stop 53C, thereby causingsaid lever to swing downward until its arms contact with the pins 55. The tension of the spring vwill now maintain the valve closed, and the lower enlarged part of the valve member 33 will be Yforced into the valve-ring, as clearly shown in Fig. 5. The parts will remain in this position until the operating-screw is run inward, thereby forcing inward the thrust-pin 54 and causing it to swing the triplever on its pivot to bring the line of strain of the springs above said pivot. As soon as this is accomplished thepull of the spring' will be exerted on the operating-lever above its pivot, so that as soon as said lever is free the feed-valve will be opened. By running in the screw to operate the thrust-pin the inner end of said screw has been brought into contact with the cam-surface 49 of the operatinglever, thereby locking said lever against the action of the springs and preventing the sudden and violent opening of the feed-valve. When it is desired to free the lever and permit the springs -to operate the valve, the operating-screw is run out. It is clear that as soon as the thrust -pin 54 is forced inward slightly the operating-lever will be moved on its pivot and the ball-cup dropped below the stop-pin 57 to permit the locking-ball to return to its normal central position.

It will of course be understood that should the lamp be overturned or inclined suliiciently to reverse the operation of the spring tension controlling the valve it will be desirable before again starting the generation of gas to detach the carbid-holder from the water-holder and clean the interior of the chamber 7. l/Vhen the parts are detached, if it be desired the valve-operating mechanism may be returned to its normal position to permit the springs 56 to move the diaphragm inward by grasping the valve and pulling it downward or into the chamber 7.

When the trip-lever is returned to its normal position by the thrust-pin 54, the cam 53b will contact slightly with the stop 53e.

To start the generator when the parts are in the position shown in Fig. l, it is simply necessary to run out the operating-screw to permit the springs 56 to depress the feedplunger. When the gas is exhausted from the gas-holder, the parts of the feed mechanism assume the positions shown in Fig. 2, the

on their outer sides.

upper stop or valve 'member being carried down by the collar 35 and forced into the opening through the valve-ring. This upper stop has two important functions, one of which is to close the feed-opening should a rupture occur in any part of the structure, which would permit all of the gas to escape into the atmosphere. As soon as the pressure is removed from the iiexible diaphragm the springs 56 would throw the valve-stem down to its lowermost position, the collar 35 carrying downwith it the stop 36. The other important function of this stop is to form a dust-proof closure for the end of the guidesleeve to prevent dust, gas, and vapor passing therein and also to close said shield during the operation of charging the carbidholder. Vhen it is desired to charge the carbid-holder, the valve-rod is raised to carry the upper stop into the shield 2l. The rod is then lowered until the collar 35 rests on the lower wall of the stop 36. This will lower the valve member 33 below the valve-ring and give the widest possible opening or passage through said ring and around the shield 39 for the passage of the carbid. When the carbid-holder is charged, it is merely necessary to run in the operating-screw to lift the lower valve member 33 into the valve-ring.

It will be readily understood from the foregoing that the upper stop remains stationary within the shields 21 and 39 except when the gas-pressure is so reduced that the springs 56 can throw the Valve to its lowermost position. This materially lessens the friction of the plunger through the carbid and enables the lamp to be operated under a very low gas-pressure.

Carried by the clamping-ring' 25 and eX- tending within the carbid-holder is a gasilter, which consists of the tube 58, connected at its upper end by a pipe 59 to a chamber 60 in the bottom of the pressure-regulator. Screwed to the lower end of this tube 58 is the filter-support 61, said support being of any suitable construction, that shown consisting of two separated arms transversely iuted Inclosing these arms is a lilter-bag 62, the upper end of said bag being securely held to the upper end of the filtersupport in such a position as to cause all the entering the tube 58 to pass through it. Surrounding the tube 58 and fitting within a cavity formed in the under side of the clamping-ring is a downwardly-tapered packingring 63. Carried by the supporting-ring 14 is a compression-sleeve 64, which surrounds the tube 58 and extends into the cavity of the clamping-ring. This sleeve is formed with a downward and inward inclined inner wall which engages the packing-ring when the clamping-ring is forced down toward the sup porting-ring' and compresses the packingring to form a gas-tight joint at that point.

The lower end of the standard 7 is formed with a cylindrical part 65, provided with beads 66 at its upper and lower horizontal end. At the upper end of this cylindrical part is formed an interior channel 67, which is adapted to receive a packing-ring 68, said ring being provided on its outer edge with a bead to fit the interior of the upper bead 66. In the channel formed by the beads 66 is mounted a clamping or.connection ring 69. This ring is formed in two sections, and these sections are iicxibly connected together by means of a plate 70, which is provided with an aperture 7l to receive thehook 72, formed on the overlapping end of one of the sections. This plate is adjustably connected to the other section by means of a screw 73, which passes through a slot formed in said plate, the plate and the member being provided with interlocking teeth, whereby the plate is absolutely held in its adjusted position. This adjustment is provided to compensate for the wear of the packing-ring. Each of the members of the ring is provided with inward-extending cams 74, which extend through slots 74 in the part and are inwardly and downwardly beveled on their faces to adapt them to engage the correspondingly-beveled surface 5 of the iiange 4. To contract this ring and cause the cams 74 to bind on the surface 5, a lever 75 is pivoted on the free end of one section and is connected by a link 76 to the free end of the other section, said link being pivoted to said lever at a point between its pivot and its free end, so that when the lever is thrown downward it draws the two ends of the rin'g toward each other. As the packingring 68 rests on top of the flange 4, it will be readily understood that the action of the cams 74 will be to draw said ring down tightly on the top of said fiange. The link 76 is formed with an inward-extending flange 77, which when the lever is in its locked position engages the upper edge of said lever and limits the downward movement thereof, and the lever is provided at its free end with a fingerpiece 78.

It is obvious from the foregoing description and the drawings that the working parts of the generator may be readilyv removed from the casing for the purpose of cleaning and repair by removing the lock-nut 34 and then unscrewing the valve 33 from the valverod. Said valve, its attached sleeve, and the upper valve member 36 may then be removed from the valve-rod. It isv also obvious that by removing the four nuts 27 the clampingring and the attached parts may be removed, thereby giving access to all interior parts of the apparatus.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim is- 1. An acetylene-gas generator comprising a carbid-holder, a water-holder, a spring-controlled feed mechanism normally tending to open the feed-valve against gas-pressure, and

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means whereby under abnormal conditions the operation of the spring tension will be reversed and tend to close the feed-valve and maintain it closed.

' 2. An acetylene-gas generator comprising, a carbid-holder, a water-holder, a feed-valve,

a spring normally tending to open said valve,

and means operated by gas-pressure when the generator is moved a predetermined distance from a vertical position to reverse the operation of the tension of the spring and thereby convert it into a valve-closing spring to maintain the valve closed.

8. An acetylene-gas generator comprising, a carbid-holder, a Water-holder, a feed-valve, means operated by gas-pressure for closing said valve, means for normally limiting` the movement of said valve in closing, means for opening said valve against gas-pressure, means whereby when the generator is moved a predetermined distance from a vertical position the closing means will give the valve an additional movement, and means whereby this additional movement will transform the valveopening means into a valve-closing means to hold the valve closed.

4. An acetylene-gas generator comprising a carbid-holder, a water-holder, a feed-valve, a spring normally tending to depress andopen said valve, means operated by gas-pressure when the generator ismoveda predetermined distance from a vertical position to reverse the operation of the tension of the spring' and thereby lift and close the valve.

` 5. A feed mechanism for acetylene-gas generators comprising, a valve, means operated by gas-pressure to close said valve, means operating againstgas-pressure to close the valve, and means operated by gas-pressure when the generator is moved a predetermined distance from its vertical position to transform the Valve-opening means into a valve-closing means to hold the valve closed.

6. A feed mechanism for acetylene-gas generators comprising, a feed-valve, means normally tending to open said valve, and means adapted to be operated by gas-pressure to transform the valve-opening means into a valve-closing means to hold the valve closed, when the generator is moved a predetermined distance from the vertical position.

7. A feed mechanism for acetylene-gas generators comprising, a feed-valve, means normally tending to open said valve, and means adapted to be operated by gas-pressure when the generator is moved a predetermined distance from the vertical position to transform the valve-opening means into a valve-closing means to hold the valve closed, and means for returning the valve-operating means to a valve-opening mechanism.

8. A feed mechanism for acetylene-gas generators comprising, a feed-valve, means normally tending to open said valve, means adapted to be operated by gas-pressure when the generator is moved a predetermined distance from the vertical position to transform the valve-opening means into a valveclosing means to hold the valve closed, and means adapted to be operated manually to return the valve-operating mechanism to a valve-opening means.

9. An acetylene-gas generator comprising, awater-holder, acarbid-holder, amovable wall or part exposed to the pressure of the gas generated, a valve, means connecting said valve to the movable wall or part whereby the valve is closed by gas-pressure, means opposing the gas-pressure to open the valve, a freely-movable stop to limit the movement-of the valve in closing under normal conditions and adapted to move when the generator is moved a predetermined distance from the vertical position to permit the valve to have an additional movement in closing and means to transform the valve-opening means into means for holding the valve closed when the movable wall or part has been moved a predetermined distance, beyond its normal movement.

l0. An acetylene-gas generator comprising, a water-holder, a carbid-holder, a feed-valve, a movable wall or part, means connecting the valve to the movable wall whereby said Valve will be closed by gas-pressure, a spring-actuated means for opening said valve against gaspressure, and means whereby said spring-actuated opening means will act to hold the valve closed when the wall has moved a predetermined distance.

11. An acetylene-gas generator comprising, awater-holder, a carbid-holder, a movable wall or part exposed to the pressure of the gas generated, a valve, means connecting said valve to the movable wall or part whereby the valve is closed by gas-pressure, means opposing the gas-pressure to open the valve, and means to transform the valve-opening means into means for holding the valve closed when the movable wall or part has been moved a predetermined distance, and means for returning the valve-opening means to its normal operating condition.

12. An acetylene-gas generator comprising, a water-holder. a carbid-holder, a movable wall or part exposed to the pressure of lthe gas generated, a valve, means connecting said valve to the movable wall or part whereby the Valve is closed by gas-pressure, means opposing the gas-pressure to open the valve, means to transform the valve-opening means into means for holding the valve closed when the movable wall or part has been moved a predetermined distance, and means adapted to be manually operated to return the valve-opening means to its normal operative condition.

13. An acetylene-gas generator comprising, a water-holder, a carbid-holder, a feed-valve, a movable wall subject to gas-pressure, means connecting the .feed-valve to the movable wall whereby said valve will be closed by gas-pres- IOO llO

sure, an operating-lever movable with said wall, a spring device connected to said lever and operating to open the valve, and means whereby when the movable wall has reached a predeterminedl point the spring device will act to hold the valve closed.

111. An acetylene-gas generator com prising, a water-holder, a carbid-holder, a feed-valve, a movable wall subject to gas-pressure, means connecting the feed-valve to the movable wall whereby said valve will be closed by gas-pressure, an operating-lever movable with said wall, a springl device connected to said lever and operating to open the valve, means whereby when the movable wall is moved a predetermined distance the spring device will cause the lever to hold the valve closed, and means for returning` the spring device to its normal operative position.

15. An acetylene-gas generator comprising, a water-holder, a carbid-holder, a feed-valve, a movable wall subject to gas-pressure, means connecting' the feed-valve to the movable wall whereby said valve will be closed by gas-pressure, an operating-lever movable with said wall, a spring device connected to said lever and operating to open the valve, means whereby when the movable wall is moved a predetermined distance the spring device will cause the lever to hold the valve closed, means adapted to bc manually operated to return the spring device to its normal operative position.

16. An acetylene-gas generator comprising, a water-holder, a carbid-holder, a feed-valve, a horizontal movable wall subject to the pressure of the gas generated, means for connecting said movable wall to the feed-valve to close said valve by gas-pressure, an operatinglever operatively connected to said movablev wall, a springl device connected to said lever and tending' to depress the movable wall, a freely-movable body for limiting' the movement of the movable wall when the generator is in an upright position and adapted to shift to permit the movable wall to have an additional upward movement when the generator is out of its vertical position, and means whereby this additional travel of the movable wall will transform the valve-opening means into a valve-closing means.

17. An acetylene-gas generator comprising, a water-holder, a carbid-holder, a feed-valve, a horizontal movable wall subject to the pressure of the gas generated, means for connecting said movable wall to the feed-valve to close said valve by gas-pressure, a lever operatively connected to said movable wall, a spring' device connected to said lever and tending to depress the movable wall, a freely-move able body for limiting the travel of the movable wall when the generator' is in an upright position and adapted to shift to permit the movable wall to have an additional travel when the generator is out of its vertical position, and means whereby this additional travel of the movable wall will transform the valveopening into a valve-closing means, and manual means for returning the valve-opening means to its normal operative position.

18. An acetylene-gas generator comprising a carbid-holder, a water-holder, a feed mechanism normally opening the feed-valve against gas-pressure, a freely-movable device to limit the movement of the valve in closing under normal conditions and shifting to permit the valve to have an additional movement in closing when the generator is moved a predetermined distance from a vertical position, and means whereby this additional movement of the valve will convert the valve-opening means into a valve-closing means.

19. An acetylene-gas generator comprising', a valve for closing communication between the two receptacles, means to close said valve by gas-pressure, a movable body for normally limiting the movement of said valve when the generator is in an upright position and permittingsaid valve to have an additional movement when the generator is moved from its vertical position, means for opening said valve, and means operated by the additional movement of the valve to transform the valveopening means into a valve-closing means to hold the valve closed.

20. An acetylene-gas generator comprising, a carbid-holder, a water-holder, a feed-valve, a movable wall, means connecting' the valve to said movable wall, means for limiting the movement of said wall when the generator is in an upright position but permitting `it to have an excess movement in any other position, an operating-lever connected to said movable wall, atrip-lever carried by said operating-lever, a spring connected to said trip-lever, and means whereby the excess movement of the wall will swing .the trip-lever and cause the spring to pull the valve closed.

21. An acetylene-gasgeneratorcomprising, a carbid-holder, a water-holder, a feed-valve, a movable wall, means connecting the valve to said movable wall, means for limiting the movement of said wall when the generator is in an upright position and permitting it to have an excess movement in any other posi-V tion, an operating-lever connected to said movable wall, a trip-lever carried by said operative lever, a spring connected to said trip-lever, and means whereby the excess movement of the wall will swing the trip-lever and cause the spring to pull the valve closed, andmeans adapted to be manually operated to return the valve-operating means to its normal condition.

22. An acetylene-gas generator comprising, a carbid-holder, a water-holder, a movable wall, a valve, means connecting the valve to said movable wall, means for limiting the movement of said wall when the generator is in an upright position and permitting' it to have an excess movement in any other position, an operating-lever connected to said mov- IOO IIO

able wall, a spring device connected to said level' and normally acting to open the valve, means whereby the excess movement of the wall will cause the spring device to exert an upward pull on the lever to hold the valve closed, means operating on the lever to manually close the valve and means operated by said lever-moving means to return the spring device to its normal operative position.

23. An acetylene-gas generator comprising, a carbid-holder, a water-holder, a feed-valve, a movable wall, means connecting the valve to said movable wall, means for limiting' the movement of said wall when the generator is in an upright position and permitting it to have an excess movement in any other position, an operating-lever connected to said movable wall, a trip-lever carried by said operating-lever, a spring connected to said trip-le- Ver, means whereby the excess movement of the wall will swing the trip-lever and cause the spring to pull the valve closed, an operating-screw adapted to swing the operating-lever to close the valve and means operated by said screw to swing the trip-lever on its pivot and thereby return the spring to its normal position to open the valve.

24. An acetylene-gasgeneratorcomprising, a carbid-holder, a water-holder, a feed-valve, a movable wall, means connecting the valve to said movable wall, means for limiting the movement of said wall when the generator is in an upright position and permitting it to' have an excess movement in any other position, an operating -lever connected to said movable wall, a trip-lever carried by said operating-lever, a spring connected to said triplever, and coacting stops on the trip-lever and the case whereby the excess movement of the wall will swing the trip-lever and cause the spring to pull the valve closed, an operatingscrew adapted to swing the operating-lever to close the valve, and means operated by said screw to swing' the trip-lever on its pivot and thereby return the spring to its normal position to open the valve.

25. An acetylene-gas generator comprising, a carbid-holder, a water-holder, a feed-valve, a movable gas-tight wall across the top of the carbid-holder, a valve-stem connected to said movable wall and carrying suitable valve devices, a ball-cup on the top of said wall, a freely-movable ball therein, a limiting-stop carried by the casing and adapted to contact with the ball when the generator is in an upright position, an operating-lever connected to said movable wall, a screw adapted to engage said lever to swing it on its pivot and thereby forcibly close the valve, a trip-lever mounted on said operatinglever above its pivot, a spring connected to said trip-lever and serving in one position of said trip-lever to tend to force the feed-valve open, said triplever being so mounted that when the generator is moved from its upright position the point to which the spring is attached will be swung below the pivot of the operating-lever, a stop on said operating-lever to limit the downward swing of said trip-lever and to cause said spring to exert an upward pull on the operating-lever.

26. An acetylene-gas generator comprising, a water-holder, a carbid-holder, a movable wall, a valve connected thereto and formed with an upper reduced part, means for opening said valve against gas-pressu re, means to normally limit the movement of the valve in closing when the generator is in an upright position whereby the reduced part of the valve will normally close the feed opening, and means independent of the gas-pressure to force the lower large part of the valve up to close the feed-opening when the generator is moved from its upright position.

27. An acetylene-gas generator comprising a carbid-holder, a water-holder, a feed mechanism normally opening the feed-valve against gas-pressure, a freely-movable device to limit the movement of the valve in closing under normal conditions and shifting to permit the valve to have an additional movement in closing when the generator is moved a predetermined distance from avertical position, means whereby this additional movement ofthe valve will convert the valve-opening means into a valve-closing means, and means for returning the valve-opening means to its normal operative position.

28. An acetylene-gas generator comprising, a water-holder, a carbid-holder, a flexible gastight wall across the carbid-holder, a perforated plate in the carbid-holder below the iiexible wall and forming a protected space or chamber for the flexible wall, a filter covering said perforated plate, and a feed-valve connected to said flexible wall.

29. An acetylene-gas generator comprising, a lower water-holder, an upper carbid-holder, a flexible gas-tight wall across the top of the carbid-l1older,a downward and inward inclined perforated filter-support below the liexible wall and extending across the carbid-holder toform a protected compartment for the fiexible wall, a filter secured to said support, a central depending guide-tube secured to the center of said filter-support, a valve-rod secured to the flexible wall and extending through the guide-tube, a feed-valve on said rod, and means for forming a gas-tight joint between said valve and the guide-tube.

30. An acetylene-gas generator comprising a lower water-holder, an upper carbid-holder, a iexible gas-tight wall across the top of the carbid-holder,a downward and inward inclined support below the flexible wall and extending across the carbid-holder to form a protected compartment for the flexible wall, a filter through which gas passes to the diaphragm, a central depending guide-tube secured to the center of said support, a valve-rod secured to the flexible wall and extending through the guide-tube, a feed-valve detachably connected to the lower end of said rod whereby the compartment formed by the support may be readily cleaned through the lower end of the guidetube.

3l. An acetylene-gas generator comprising a water-holder, a carbid-holder, a feed-valve, a horizontal movable wall subject to the pressure of the gas generated, means for connecting said movable wall to the feed-valve to close said valve by gas-pressure, a lever operatively connected to said movable wall, a spring device connected to said lever and tending to depress .the movable wall, a freely-movable body for limiting the movement of the movable wall when the generator is in an upright position and adapted to shift to permit the movable wall to have an additional upward movement when the generator is out of its vertical position, means whereby this additional travel of the movable wall will transform the valve-opening means into a valveolosing means, and means interposed between the movable wall andthe spring whereby a downward pull on the valve-rod will return the valve-opening means to its normal operative position.

32. An acetylene-gas generator comprising a carbid-holder, a water-holder, a feed-valve, a spring normally tending to open `said valve, and means operated by gas-pressure when the generator is moved a predetermined distance from a vertical position to reverse the operation of the tension of the spring and thereby convert it into a valve-closing spring to maintain the valve Closed, means to return the valve-opening means to its normal operating position and means to prevent a sudden and violent movement of the valve when the valveopening means is returned to its normal operating position.

In testimony whereof I hereunto aiix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses, this 15th day ofJune, 1904.

CHARLES W. BECK Witnesses:

WM. R. Davis, E. KAUFMANN. 

